Wb Upbraided By `Felicity' Fans Over New 'do

NAMES AND FACES

January 18, 2000|By Hal Boedeker, Sentinel Television Critic

PASADENA, Calif. - Could a haircut make that big a difference? It could if you act on the WB network.

Keri Russell's severe new 'do on Felicity was a mistake, WB executives acknowledged Monday. ``The e-mail alone was so overwhelmingly negative about that haircut,'' WB Entertainment President Susanne Daniels said. ``Do I think it affected the show on some level? Yeah, I do.''

So concerned were WB executives that they considered having Russell wear hair extensions or a wig, but the actress nixed those plans. Daniels told Russell she preferred her hair longer. The actress's reaction: ``It will grow back, Susanne.'' And Russell's hair is getting longer.

There were so many picky questions about hair that Kellner joked, ``Our ratings are down. Leave us alone.'' The ratings in key demographics are off 5 percent to 15 percent from a year ago.

WB executives acknowledged that Felicity and Dawson's Creek had gone off track creatively last fall, though neither show is in danger of cancellation.

The haircut alone didn't hurt Felicity, Daniels said. Other flubs: The character Felicity was too isolated, and it was wrong for her not to date either male lead. The upcoming corrections: Felicity moves into the loft with Ben, and she'll have a romance with him.

The upcoming corrections: A new writer has come in to guide the show, and episodes will feature more of Dawson's parents. The tone will be ``more fantasy and hopefulness,'' and there will be more bonding among the characters, Daniels said.

The WB also announced it will get a new show from John Wells (ER) next season. The 5-year-old network has made comedy development a priority and has deals with Darren Star (Sex and the City), Harold Ramis (Groundhog Day) and Bruce Helford (The Drew Carey Show).